Filmmakers from Mbale and the wider Elgon region gathered for the inaugural iKON Society Creative Exchange, where the iKON Film Fund was announced.

Filmmakers, distributors and industry leaders gathered at iKONVERSATIONS to explore practical solutions for improving marketing and distribution in Uganda’s film industry, highlighting the need for stronger audience engagement, better funding, collaboration and expanded distribution platforms to help local films reach wider audiences.

The 4th iKON Film and Television Awards have been confirmed for December 12, 2026, at Kampala Serena Hotel as organisers introduce a new Pan-African roadmap featuring Johannesburg engagements, filmmaker collaborations, and the launch of iKON Society.

The iKON Awards 2026 have officially closed submissions after receiving 300 films from across the globe, signaling a major rise in international participation and reinforcing Uganda’s position in the global film industry.

The 4th Annual iKON Awards will take place on August 15, 2026, at Serena Hotel Kampala, drawing filmmakers from across Africa.

The iKON Awards and Reach A Hand Uganda have unveiled the 2026 cohort of the iKON Young Filmmakers Fellowship Program, selecting ten promising creatives to undergo eight months of intensive mentorship and masterclasses aimed at transforming Uganda’s film industry and strengthening African storytelling on the global stage.

“Film is more than art — it’s business,” said Thapelo Mokoena during his masterclass with Uganda’s top filmmakers, urging creatives to think beyond premieres and box office numbers.

Netflix star and entrepreneur Thapelo Mokoena is set to visit Uganda in February 2026 as part of the iKon Film and Television Awards roadmap.